Page 85 of All We Need

“I want you to know me,”Iexclaim, my face turning into a furnace at my outburst.

Rather than ask how he can gain it, he brushes his lips over mine tenderly. “Iknow,Silv.Andwhatever pieces of yourself you give to me,I’lltreasure them like the gifts they are.”

Speechless, my mouth parts.Boothtakes advantage.Histongue strokes mine softly, lips moving languidly.Herolls us, pinning me to the mattress with his bulky frame and settling his weight on top of me.

Groaning and sighing, we tangle, giving ourselves over to the kiss.Myfingers trace the ridges of his spine before cuppinghis firm ass, encouraging him to press harder into my aching center.

“Stop trying to seduce me, woman,” he growls against my lips.

I giggle.Fuckinggiggle.Thisman has transformed me into a horny, giddy mess with his sweet declarations and all-consuming kisses.

I roll my pelvis, earning a throaty groan when the underside of his cock drags over my clit. “Youkissed me.”

The world turns upside down as he flips us, with me plastered to his front.

“And nowI’mgoing to cuddle you.Sleepwell, my little witch.”Hetucks my head under his chin and sighs.

“I don’t cuddle,Dimples.”Iattempt to wriggle from his clutches with no luck. “Freeme.”

“Shhh,I’msleeping.”Hisdrowsy words blow through my hair.

Not even three minutes later, he’s snoring, arms locked around my lower back like a straitjacket.

Giggling.Cuddling.

I don’t dare ask what’s next.

Because what ifIlike it?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

booth

This.

I could get used tothis.

Onyx curls tickle my nose as her head rests on my chest.Everyinch of my skin tingles as her soft breathing caresses my neck.Forsuch a non-cuddler, she’s clinging to me like her life depends on it.

I like this.

This won’t last.

It’s hard to comprehend that reality when allIwant to do is ignore it.Ascliché as it sounds, it’s never been like this before.

The funny thing is, whatIthought would terrify me, doesn’t.Andmaybe that’s more terrifying.Ratherthan overthink it,Ienjoy the feel of her body molded to mine.

The fight glimmered in her eyes whenIasked her to share a secret.Theysay the eyes are the window to the soul.InAly’s,Isaw a chaos of emotions swirling in those stormy depths.Ittook all my strength not to beg her to tell me why panic seized her; a reaction so ill-fitted for someone that wears their strength and confidence like silver-plated armor.

Today is my day off, andI’mnot sure of her schedule.Idecide on more sleep, not wanting this to end.Butthe second my eyelids close, her deadweight shifts.Herbreasts crush into my chest as she stretches, yawning quietly, before blinking up at me.Behindthe sleepy haze, a ripple of shock appears, like she forgot where she was, before serenity washes it away.

Deep satisfaction swells behind my rib cage when her head drops to my neck, a low hum vibrating from her throat as she presses her nose to my pulse point.

“You smell like smoked chicory,” she murmurs.

She shakes with my rumble of laughter. “Isthat a good thing?”

“Mm-hmm.”Shelifts her head again. “Ihave to go.Joinvited me to meet with the wine rep this afternoon.”

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